NAME
Fany Kiuru
TITLE
General Coordinator, Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin (COICA)
LOCATION
Colombia
ABOUT
Fany Kuiru, the first woman to lead COICA, has gained international recognition for her work to protect the Amazon. COICA, founded in 1984 in Lima, Peru, is the umbrella organization representing Indigenous groups across the Amazon Basin, and since its founding, has been a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and land rights. Recently, Fany spearheaded the Amazon for Life Fund, an initiative that supports Indigenous economies through co-creation and consultation with Indigenous communities in the Amazon. The fund aims to empower these communities by providing resources for sustainable projects and knowledge exchange while remaining under COICA’s control. This structure encourages additional donors to contribute directly to Indigenous-led initiatives.
MOTIVATIONS
The decision to lead COICA and launch initiatives such as the Amazon for Life Fund stems from “a deep need to preserve the Amazon and defend the rights of Indigenous peoples, who have been guardians of this territory since time immemorial,” explains Fany.
“What inspires me is to see the strength, resilience and wisdom of our communities, especially at a time when we face threats such as the destruction of the rainforest, resource extraction and climate change that threaten biodiversity and our way of life.
My vision in defending the rights of Indigenous peoples is grounded in dignity, self-determination and justice. My mission is to ensure that our voice is heard and respected in all decision-making spaces, from local communities to international bodies. I firmly believe that protecting our territories is protecting everyone’s future; the Amazon is essential to the health of the planet. That is why the Amazon for Life Fund seeks to empower our women, communities and guarantee the necessary resources to resist and adapt, so that future generations inherit a living and prosperous Amazon.”
IMPACTS
Indigenous organizations in the Amazon basin have long faced significant challenges in accessing direct funding for self-determined economic and environmental initiatives. Despite their effectiveness in managing and conserving ecosystems, less than 1% of international climate aid is allocated to Indigenous land tenure and forest management efforts. This limited support constrains the ability of Indigenous groups to expand their conservation work, even as they advocate for the protection of 80% of the Amazon by 2025.
The launch of the Amazon for Life Fund marks a step towards addressing this funding gap. With $10 million in resources and a direct governance model developed in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the fund provides financial and technical support directly to Indigenous organizations. While this initiative is transformative in how it empowers Indigenous-led efforts, ongoing challenges persist in securing the scale of resources needed to meet ambitious conservation goals across the Amazon Basin.
CHALLENGES
According to Fany:
“One of the key challenges we face is the lack of understanding and recognition of Indigenous rights and the immense contributions we make to biodiversity conservation and the fight against the climate crisis. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have lived in harmony with nature, developing knowledge and practices that sustain the environment and its diversity.
Our territories cover 80% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, yet we often struggle for the right to protect them. When our rights are overlooked, so is our role in safeguarding ecosystems that are essential not only for Indigenous communities but for the entire planet. This misunderstanding limits our ability to implement traditional conservation methods that have proven effective for generations.
The Amazon, for example, is a massive carbon sink and home to countless species. When Indigenous rights are respected, and when we are empowered to protect our lands, we are actively contributing to global climate stability. Supporting our rights is one of the most effective ways to preserve the Earth’s biodiversity and combat climate change.”
GOALS
COICA aims for the Amazon for Life Fund to become a long-term resource supporting Indigenous economies in the Amazon, inviting additional donors to contribute directly to Indigenous-led projects. The organization envisions the fund as a model that strengthens Indigenous governance and supports conservation and sustainable development. By keeping the fund under COICA’s control, they are building a platform that respects Indigenous knowledge and promotes sustainable practices in the Amazon.
FANY’S ADVICE
“My advice to other organizations aiming to empower Indigenous Peoples is to first recognize that true empowerment starts with respecting our self-determination and traditional governance structures. Organizations must work alongside communities rather than imposing agendas or solutions. Listening is the first step. Indigenous knowledge and practices have sustained ecosystems for generations, so any support must begin by understanding and valuing that wisdom.
I also recommend focusing on building local capacities and fostering long-term processes without expecting immediate results. For us, protecting our territories is not just a project –
it’s a way of life. This means that any initiative should prioritize sustainability, both financially and culturally, and adapt to the unique realities of each community.
Lastly, ensure that benefits reach the communities directly, and that resources are managed transparently. The Amazon for Life Fund, for example, prioritizes Indigenous-led decision-making so that actions reflect our needs and visions. The key is to build partnerships based on respect and equity, where Indigenous Peoples are the protagonists of our own protection and development.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Fany says you can help support COICA’s mission by:
CONTACT FANY
Meet Neal Spackman, a regenerative development visionary bringing transformative change to degraded landscapes and communities worldwide.
Through projects like the Al Baydha Project and Regenerative Seawater Agriculture (RSA), Neal is breathing life back into ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods.
Meet Gator Halpern, Co-founder and President of Coral Vita, who’s scaling coral restoration to combat ocean warming. By cultivating resilient corals in high-tech farms, Coral Vita restores damaged reefs in the Bahamas and beyond, safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local economies.
Meet Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, whose work is transforming how sports and culture can contribute to a more sustainable world. As the environmental adviser to the New York Yankees, NBA, and Broadway, Allen is helping iconic institutions engage millions in the climate conversation, setting new standards for environmental action in these influential spaces.
Meet Rajesh Shah, Managing Trustee of VIKAS Centre for Development, championing community-led climate resilience through the Great Green Wall of Gujarat. Rajesh’s initiative empowers marginalized communities to restore coastal ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods.
